The proposed TA includes (i) creation of a "green growth road map" for the Upper Marikina River Basin Protected Landscape based on local circumstances, political leadership, the capacity for change and priorities of stakeholders; (ii) preparation of an inventory of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, assessment of vulnerability to climate change, and economic valuation of ecosystem services; (iii) identification of priority interventions to respond to the impacts of climate change and trigger green growth; (iv) development of local climate change action plans (LCCAP) that can be integrated into comprehensive development plans (CDPs) of the concerned LGUs; and (v) piloting of selected adaptation and green growth measures.

Water and other urban infrastructure and services /
Urban policy, institutional and capacity development
-
Urban water supply

Gender Equity and Mainstreaming

Description

The proposed TA includes (i) creation of a "green growth road map" for the Upper Marikina River Basin Protected Landscape based on local circumstances, political leadership, the capacity for change and priorities of stakeholders; (ii) preparation of an inventory of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, assessment of vulnerability to climate change, and economic valuation of ecosystem services; (iii) identification of priority interventions to respond to the impacts of climate change and trigger green growth; (iv) development of local climate change action plans (LCCAP) that can be integrated into comprehensive development plans (CDPs) of the concerned LGUs; and (v) piloting of selected adaptation and green growth measures.

Project Rationale and Linkage to Country/Regional Strategy

The Philippines is highly vulnerable to impacts of climate change. In 2011, the country ranked highest in the world in terms of vulnerability to tropical cyclones and the third in terms of population's exposure to floods and droughts. The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) estimated that economic losses from typhoons, floods and landslides in 2011 amounted to 59.2 billion Pesos. Enhancing climate resilience of economy and adaptive capacity of populations is thus crucial for sustainable development.

Climate change-induced economic losses are particularly high in urban and peri-urban areas largely because of increasing fragility of urban ecosystems and low adaptive capacity of communities. The need for developing ecologically stable and economically resilient urban areas or "eco-towns" has been widely recognized but the concept has not been demonstrated. The Philippines National Climate Change Action Plan (NCCAP) anchors on building eco-towns at the local level. The demonstration of the eco-town framework while pursuing green growth will not only address the impacts of climate change of communities but also aims for sustainable development and poverty reduction.

The proposed TA seeks to pursue strategies for green growth and climate resilience in the Upper Marikina River Basin Protected Landscape. It was chosen as a pilot because of its (i) high bio-physical vulnerability to climate change impacts, (ii) high levels of urban poverty, population density and settlements in most vulnerable locations, (iii) its high demonstration potential to the rest of the country in terms of mainstreaming and eco-town development.

The TA has strong linkages to the ADB Country Partnership Strategy 2011-2016 and its thematic assessment paper on climate change and disaster risk reduction, which recognises the urgent need to increase the resilience of the Philippines to climate change and natural disasters while harnessing opportunities for greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation. Besides contributing to the objective of strengthening capacity of national and local institutions, the TA closely aligns with various sector ASRs in terms of increasing resilience to climate stresses (agriculture and natural resources sector), promoting use of renewable energy (energy sector), and enhancing water sanitation through effective waste management (urban development sector).

The TA builds on vulnerability assessment methodologies developed under ADB-funded RETA 6420 and various disaster risk reduction projects undertaken in Metro Manila and other surrounding areas. It will also promote synergies with ADB lending programs such as the proposed Integrated Natural Resources and Environmental Management (INREM) project aimed at restoring critical watersheds in four upper river basins. The TA will also promote synergies with other projects funded by GIZ (Adaptation to climate Change and Biodiversity project), Global Green Growth Institute, and AusAID (disaster risk reduction projects). However, the proposed TA is considered necessary as no other development partner is involved in demonstrating an eco-town framework in the Upper Marikina River Basin Protected Landscape.

Improved ability of LGUs and other stakeholders in the Upper Marikina River Basin Protected Landscape to to mainstream climate resilient and green growth options into development programs, plans and policies.

Progress Toward Outcome

Ability of LGUs and stakeholders in integrating climate concerns was improved, as reflected by their active participation in preparing the road map for climate resilience and green growth in respective LGUs; and in preparing local climate change action plans, which are then integrated into local development plans.

Implementation Progress

Description of Project Outputs

Baseline information on greenhouse gases (GHG) collected, and current and future vulnerabilities assessed.

Baseline information on GHG collected, and current and future vulnerability of LGUs to climate change assessed. Sectoral vulnerability assessment reports and GHG inventory submitted in June 2014.

Stakeholder consultations were held to discuss locally appropriate GHG mitigation and adaptation measures.

Cost-benefit analysis of selected mitigation and adaptation measures was conducted by March 2015. Reports on pilot activity plan and ecosystems valuation were submitted in March 2015.

Green growth roadmap for upper Marikina watershed was prepared in February 2015.

11 pilot activities were completed. Several knowledge products were prepared.

All outputs were achieved as of 30 September 2015.

Geographical Location

Summary of Environmental and Social Aspects

Environmental Aspects

Involuntary Resettlement

Indigenous Peoples

Stakeholder Communication, Participation, and Consultation

During Project Design

In September 2011, the Government of the Philippines (the Government) through its Climate Change Commission (CCC) requested the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for capacity development technical assistance (CDTA) to conduct a pilot study on the Upper Marikina River Basin Protected Landscape as a demonstration site for the Eco-Town Framework as espoused in the Philippines National Climate Change Action Plan (NCCAP).

A series of meetings took place from October 2011 to February 2012 between CCC and the ADB to clarify the outcomes and outputs of the proposed CDTA. Meetings with other government departments also took place. ADB circulated a draft TA concept paper for comment by various stakeholders. A consensus emerged on the need to demonstrate eco-town framework in the Upper Marikina River Basin Protected Landscape. A memorandum of understanding was signed with the Vice-Chair of CCC in May 2012, agreeing to the core elements of the TA (impact, outcome, outputs, implementation, cost, financing arrangements, and terms of reference of consultants).

During Project Implementation

A consulting firm (Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) in association with ERGONS Project Marketing Consultants) was mobilized on 19 November 2012. Several consultations were held with CCC, LGUs, DENR, PAMB between 20 November and 15 December. Inception workshop was held on 17 December 2012; Based on comments received at the inception workshop and subsequent reviews, the final draft of inception report was submitted in February 2013. The Memorandum of Agreement between CCC and LGUs was signed in October 2013. Several training workshops on vulnerability assessment, GHG inventory preparation, natural resource accounting and other topics were held in December 2013, and February 2014. Additional workshops and training activities were held throughout 2014 and 2015. The project was completed in September 2015.

Business Opportunities

Consulting Services

The TA will finance an estimated 64 person-months of national consultant inputs (for six consultants, in the areas of climate change adaptation, mitigation, natural resources management, capacity building and gender mainstreaming, geographic information systems and multimedia) to be engaged through a consulting firm in accordance with ADB's Guidelines on the Use of Consultants. The firm will also provide support in the form of one administrative and two technical project assistants to assit local government units, climate change commission, and the national consultants.

Procurement

Procurement and disbursement will be done in accordance with ADB's Progurement Guidelines (2010, as amended from time to time) and ADB's Technical Assistance Disbursement Handbook (2010, as amended from time to time). For surveys including baseline data collection and demonstrations, an advance payment facility may be used.

Responsible ADB Officer

Ancha, Srinivasan

Responsible ADB Department

Southeast Asia Department

Responsible ADB Division

Environment, Natural Resources & Agriculture Division, SERD

Executing Agencies

Asian Development Bank6 ADB Avenue,Mandaluyong City 1550, Philippines

Timetable

Concept Clearance

05 Jun 2012

Fact Finding

15 May 2012
to 17 May 2012

MRM

-

Approval

16 Jul 2012

Last Review Mission

-

Last PDS Update

30 Mar 2016

TA 8111-PHI

Milestones

Approval

Signing Date

Effectivity Date

Closing

Original

Revised

Actual

16 Jul 2012

10 Aug 2012

10 Aug 2012

30 Sep 2014

30 Sep 2015

-

Financing Plan/TA Utilization

Cumulative Disbursements

ADB

Cofinancing

Counterpart

Total

Date

Amount

Gov

Beneficiaries

Project Sponsor

Others

450,000.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

450,000.00

16 Jul 2012

391,252.82

Project Data Sheets (PDS) contain summary information on the project or program. Because the PDS is a work in progress, some information may not be included in its initial version but will be added as it becomes available. Information about proposed projects is tentative and indicative.

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Contracts Awarded

Procurement Plan

About ADB

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. It assists its members and partners by providing loans, technical assistance, grants, and equity investments to promote social and economic development.